Huckabee Sanders giving a talk under a tent while kids are forced to stand in the rain.

[hamsterjill]

43. I don't do organized religion. Just to clarify.

There's an old Tom T. Hall song entitled "Me and Jesus Got Our Own Thing Going", and that's pretty much me. I've tried the organized religion path, and it just wasn't something that worked for me. But I've always had the core belief that there is a Creator, etc.

And that's MY belief, and no one else has to believe the same way. You are absolutely, 100% correct in that people do not need religion to be "good" people. I have many friends who are agnostic and/or atheist, and friends of other beliefs. They wouldn't stay my friends were they not caring, trustworthy, decent people. So I completely agree with you on that point. Obviously, we could both sit here for hours naming the ones who decry that they are Christians, and yet don't live even close to the teachings. So religion does not define morality, or goodness, or conscience.

When these evangelical crazies try to FORCE religion, people automatically and naturally pull back. People don't like to be forced. I don't like to be forced. Religion, in my opinion, is an individual path. You come to it (or don't come to it) based on your life experiences, your upbringing, your exposure, and your needs. I am NO BETTER than anyone else regardless of what I believe or what another might believe. The very best way that I can promote my beliefs (not that I even desire to), would be to live my life as an example of what I believe. I fail miserably on a daily basis, but I get back up the next morning, and try again.

I have enjoyed your perspective, and I wish you peace and happiness.